Titans Tame Bulldogs and Take Crown in Homecoming Victory

If the success of a homecoming football game gives any indication of how fun the dance will be, it's safe to say Glenbrook South students won't forget their Saturday night shindig any time soon.

The Titans' impenetrable defense and mostly impressive offense led them to a 30-0 victory over the Waukegan Bulldogs Saturday afternoon.

"Our defense played well," Titan Coach Mike Noll said after the game. "I'm not happy with our offense."   

Despite the 30-point shutout, Glenbrook South showed some fallibility in a few critical offensive plays, including a second-quarter fumble on the Bulldogs' one-yard line and a third-quarter Bulldog interception as the Titans closed in on the goal line.

"We weren't good in the red zone on offense," Noll said. "You've got to be opportunistic when you got good position on the playing field, and we weren't today."

Still, the Titan offense managed to put up 30 points – 30 more than the Bulldogs – with its outstanding running game and an overall solid performance by senior quarterback Matt Jenkins. Senior running backs John Strickland and Kyle Kwasniewski tore up some serious turf, rushing for more than 300 yards.

"They're a pretty good one-two punch," said Noll, referring to Strickland and Kwasniewski after the game. "They're both quick and pretty explosive."

Titan quarterback Matt Jenkins threaded a short, sharp pass to Senior tight end T.J. Gosse to end a 63-yard drive and end the half 13-0. Glenbrook South missed an extra point and avoided first-half field goals since kicker Luke Harrison – coming from a soccer game – did not make arrive until the second half.

Harrison scored the only points of the third quarter with a field goal giving the Titans a 16-0 lead. Kwasniewski and junior running back Alex Leet both ran for a touchdown in the fourth.

Waukegan simply could not find a way through Glenbrook South's ferocious defense, which virtually shut down the Bulldogs' passing and running game and created several turnovers.  

Kwasniewski and Strickland agreed that their defense deserved most of the credit for the win and the offense could have played better. "I ran hard today but definitely wasn't playing my best on offense," Strickland said. "It was fun, though."

Kwasniewski added, "Our offense couldn't score in key situations. I'm happy, but we should've won by a lot more."

The win gives the Titans a 4-2 record on the season and a 2-0 CSL record, which ties Maine South for first.

Glenbrook South plays at Niles West next Friday at 7 p.m.